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FRSC checks 96,458 vehicles for speed limiting device compliance

NAN-DS-8
Compliance
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Nov.1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), said on Tuesday that 96,458 vehicles had been checked nationwide since Oct. 1 to ensure compliance with the implementation of speed limiting device.

Mr Bisi Kazeem, Head, Media Relations and Strategy, FRSC, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

He said that Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Enugu states topped the compliance list of implementation of the speed limiting device after one month of its commencement and partial enforcement.

Kazeem said that 4,979 vehicles installed the device while 91,479 vehicles were yet to comply bringing the compliance level with five per cent.

He said that Cross Rivers was leading on the compliance list with 738 vehicles, Akwa Ibom second with 650, Enugu 403, Ebonyi 474 and Lagos 256.

He said that the commission was yet to record any vehicle with the device in Adamawa, Taraba,Niger, Kebbi and Yobe states .

“However, the states may not be responsible for the non-compliance level because the check cuts across states, so you can be moving from Lagos to Cross River and get checked at Cross River so it would be recorded there.

“The compliance level is increasing but there is room for improvement to guarantee safety; just like the Corps Marshall Boboye Oyeyemi has always advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of safety.

“People need to embrace this scheme on their own without being forced because very soon come Feb. 2017 there will be no more subtle or advisory enforcement it would be total enforcement and strict implementation.

“The commission gave a period of grace to allow commercial vehicles some time to comply with the scheme but looking at how most Nigerians normally behave it seems they are waiting for the rush hour.

“Some are even waiting to see if it will work or not, but I tell you the scheme has come to stay and there is no going back on it,’’he said

Earlier, the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi thanked the stakeholders and the various transport unions for supporting the FRSC on this project to curb road crashes.

Oyeyemi reiterated the corps’ plan to continue the implementation and enforcement of the device with commercial vehicles in the phase one.(NAN)
ATAB/JPE/AFA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide
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NASS assures NITT of enabling laws
NAN-H-88
Laws
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The National Assembly on Tuesday assured the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) of enabling laws to enable it deliver world-class transport system not only in Nigeria but Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport gave the task during an oversight visit to the institute in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, said: “Our committee is always ready to cooperate with the institute to ensure that it achieve its mandate.

“We want to ensure that the institute achieves its mandate in the area of delivering world- class training and research capabilities in transport technology,” he said.

He advised the institute to come-up with an Act that would improve its capacity and capability to provide excellent services in transport technology.

Ashafa recalled that during the committees’ visit last year, the level of some ongoing and uncompleted projects was worrisome.

“We are therefore eager to examine your performance this year and also to listen to any challenges or impediments you have faced, with a view to finding lasting solution to such,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport, Rep. Aminu Sani-Isa, said the oversight visit was not meant to witch-hunt anybody but to see how the institute effectively and efficiently use tax-payers money.

He assured the readiness of the two houses to assist the institute toward completing ongoing projects.

Earlier, the NITT Director-General, Dr Aminu Musa-Yusuf, observed that a nation’s development was a reflection of its transport system.

“All modes of transport work in tandem to propel the economy of every nation and for that sector to effectively carry out this very important function, there must be a corresponding well-trained manpower in place.

“This is the crucial gap NITT was created and mandated to fill. Our Philosophy is encapsulated in our vision and mission statements.

“In fact, we have been resolute in providing professional training in all modes of transport and offering research and consultancy services to private and public transport and logistics.

“This is for the achievement of management excellence in the transport industry in Nigeria and West African sub-region,” Musa-Yusuf said.

NAN reports that the joint committee members later proceeded on tour of facilities of the institute and inspection of ongoing projects. (NAN)
KLM/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Provost seeks govt help to renovate hostels

NAN-H-51

Hostels

By Awayi Kuje

Akwanga (Nasarawa State), Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Provost, College of Education, Akwanga, Dr Rebecca Isaac, has appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to assist in rehabilitating its 30-year-old student hostels.

Isaac made the appeal when the State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology paid an oversight visit to the institution on Tuesday in Akwanga.

“We wish to appeal to the state government to renovate some blocks of hostels that have been constructed 30 years ago.

“The present government has done lots in the college but we wish to appeal to the government to assist us renovate the hostel blocks, which are still strong but only needed renovation.

“Students are just managing those hostels; one need to go and see how they are managing.

“Renovating the hostels will go a long way to improve the welfare of both staff and students in the institution,’’ she said.

Isaac said that the college had financed some projects with its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in order to improve on the welfare of both lecturers and students.

She commended the committee for visiting the college to monitor the performance of 2016 budget in the school.

“The school, through its IGR, was able to execute positive projects.

“I also want to commend Gov. Tanko Al-Makura for constructing two standard blocks of hostels, containing 336 bed spaces for the college,’’ she said.

Besides, the provost appealed to the state government to address the issue of pension of the college’s staff who retired last year, in order to reduce their suffering.

“We have over 500 staff who retired and some of them, since September last year, but up till now, are still suffering because they have not been captured into the state’s pension scheme,’’ she added.

The provost also listed other challenges facing the college to include dearth of man power, promotion stagnation, non-implementation of annual increment for staff and lack of subvention to the school.

She, therefore, solicited for support from the lawmakers to address these challenges.

Earlier, Mr Daniel Ogazzi (APC-Kokona East), Chairman of the committee, said that the visit was not to witch hunt but assess the 2016 budget performance of the institution.

He added that the visit was also part of steps towards addressing any challenge confronting the institution.

He commended the provost for her transparency on application of the IGR to initiate programmes that will positively impact on the lives of lecturers and students.

Ogazzi urged the provost to sustain the good efforts.

The lawmaker pledged the committee’s readiness to address the challenges facing the college in order to improve the standard of education in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee also inspected the computerised Assisted Teaching Laboratory, lecture theatre halls, college maternity hall and college laboratory, among other projects. (NAN)

AKW/AIB/MST

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-HE-16
Budget
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Senate Committee on Establishment has expressed satisfaction with the level of implementation of the 2016 budget by the management of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Emmanuel Paulker, said this during an oversight visit to the headquarters of PITAD in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that N111.99 billion was appropriated to PITAD in the 2016 budget.

The amount consisted of N109 1.2 billion for the pension, N1.6 billion for personnel cost; 1.03 billion for overhead and N200 million for pensioners verification while no amount was appropriated for capital project.

On the money received by PITAD from the amount appropriated, N82.62 billion was released to PITAD from which it had expended N73.32 billion.

Paulker and members of the committee requested PITAD to provide relevant documents for clarification on some areas of implementation.

He said the job of PITAD was crucial, noting that the happiness of pensioners on the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) depended on the effectiveness of PITAD in the discharge of its duties.

He urged PITAD to continue to discharge its duty creditably.

Pulker also said that the Senate had approved N27 billion in the 2016 budget for the payment of 33 per cent pension arrears for pensioners.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of PITAD, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, said that the completion of the verification of pensioners would enable government to  estimate its monthly pension liabilities under the DBS.

She said the completion of the exercise would also help government ascertain its financial savings from pension payments, adding that government would be able to have accurate data and profiles of over 200,00 pensioners .

Ikeazor said that PITAD was talking and resolving pensioners’ complaints by improving on its complaint management system for effective tracking and resolution of complaints.

She said that the directorate had established state offices to ensure that pensioners did not travel far to make complaints.

Ikeazor said that the agency was resolving all issues from verified civil service pensioners in the North West and South-East.

She said that the organisation intended to make payment of all benefits to the group of pensioners verified before continuation of civil service verification in other zones.

On 33 per cent pension payment, she said that PITAD had commenced payment of the increase in October 2014, noting that all arrears for the year were paid in December of same year.

She, however, said the arrears for 2010 to 2013 remained unpaid as outstanding government liabilities at the end of 2014.

She, however, said that PITAD had been able to offset some 42 months arrears from the pension departments based on available resources.

The secretary said 24 months of the civil service pension department was paid while 18 months remained outstanding.

Ikeazor said 42 months was paid for the Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration and Prison without outstanding arrears.

She said that in the case of the Police Pension department, three months were paid with 39 months of arrears outstanding.

She said that PITAD was committed to ensuring that the entitlements of legitimate pensioners were settled. (NAN)
KC/JPE/IA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Idris Abdulrahman
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NAN-AE-8
Association
By Abdullahi Ishaq
Dutse, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Jigawa Chapter, has lauded Gov. Muhammad Badaru and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for granting loan to dry season farmers in the state.

Alhaji Idris Maiungwa, AFAN’s Chairman, Jigawa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday that Badaru, in collaboration with CBN, granted unsubstantiated sums as soft loans to his members.

He said the association would screen the farmers, to ensure that that only the bona fide members would benefit from the credit facility.

Maiungwa pledged the association’s steady support to the state governor, to boost agriculture and ensure food security.

NAN reports that rice farming under the CBN Borrowers’ Anchor Programme was going on in all 21 Local Government Areas of the state with an estimated yield of 1.2 million metric tonnes per harvest. (NAN)
AIS/FLP/AFA
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Felix Ajide
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NAN-HE-9
Shares
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday, appreciated by N11 billion or 0.12 per cent to close at N9.360 trillion due to marginal gains recorded by some blue chips.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was against N9.349 trillion achieved on Monday.

Also, the All-Share Index improved by 32.39 points or 0.12 per cent to close at 27,252.48 compared with 27,220.09 posted on Monday.

NAN reports that the upturn was largely boosted by value appreciation recorded by some capitalised stocks such as Okomu OilPalm, Guinness Nigeria, PZ Cussons and GT Bank, amongst others.

An analysis of the price movement chart showed that Okomuoil led the gainers’ table, growing by N3.95 to close at N4.70 per share.

Guinness came second with a gain of N2.09 to close at N82.09 and Guaranty Trust Bank gained 30k to close at N23.80 per share.

Eterna increased by 28k to close at N3.09 and PZ industries appreciated by 25k to close at N17.75 per share.

Conversely, International Breweries topped the losers’ table, dropping by 92k to close at N19 per share.

UACN trailed with a loss of 35k to close at N19.20 and Oando lost 24k to close at N4.70 per share.

Union Bank of Nigeria declined by 22k to close at N4.30, while UAC Property Development dipped 16k to close at N3.09 per share.

NAN also reports that Dunlop emerged the most traded stock with an exchange of 27.90 million shares worth N13.95 million.

Sterling Bank trailed with 25.89 million shares valued at N25.29 million and Transcorp sold 16.12 million shares worth N14.11 million.

FCMB Group transacted 13.58 million shares valued at N14.73 million, while Unic Insurance traded 11.35 million shares valued at N5.67 million.

In all, investors staked N1.31 billion on 187.60 million shares traded in 3,065 deals.

This was against a total of 219.89 million shares valued at N1.88 billion transacted in 3,933 deals on Monday. (NAN)
JNC/AK/AJA
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(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Adeleye Ajayi)

Ondo: Special Court of Appeal panel withdraws from PDP appeals
NAN-H-50
Panel
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Special Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Hannatu Sankey constituted to determine all appeals arising from the Ondo State PDP governorship primary on Tuesday in Abuja withdrew following accusation of fraud.

The two other members were Justices E. Agim and O.E William-Dawudu.

Sankey, in her ruling, ordered that the files of all the five pending appeals relating to the PDP governorship ticket in Ondo State be returned to the President of the Court of Appeal for re-assignment.

Sankey said the development was necessitated by a petition written against the panel by the Ondo State Chairman of the PDP, Biyi Poroye.

“The petitioner in the most unholy description of my personality being a Justice who has just recovered from a protracted illness was open to corruption.

“He in similar vein alleged that the panel has been paid huge sums of money by interested party to be able to sit on the Special Panel.

“Ordinarily, since no fact has been placed on the court showing bias we would not have minded but in the circumstance we are compelled to withdraw in the interest of our integrity and justice,” she said.

Poroye had also alleged that the panel was constituted to urgently hear and determine the cases because the President of the Court of Appeal was compromised.

According to him, the members of the panel are briefed to deliver judgment in favour one of the governorship contenders Eyitayo Jegede.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioner had obtained the orders of the Federal High Court in Abuja recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as the governorship candidate of the party.

Acting on the order made by Justice Okon Abang, INEC dropped Jegede, a product of the Ahmed Makarfi-faction of the PDP.

NAN further reports that Jegede’s substitution had further confirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party, a development, the Ahmed Makarfi faction had challenged.

Earlier, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a counsel to Jegede expressed displeasure on the development, adding that the petition was baseless.

“My Lords, the petitioner should be used as an example to ward off this type of frivolous accusations of our Judges.

“I am suggesting that the petition be forwarded to the police for thorough investigation and the petitioner be placed in custody,” he said.

On his part, Chief Alex Izinyon (SAN), counsel to Poroye, denied knowledge of the petition as according to him, politicians are capable of over reaching themselves in political matters.

“I am totally not aware of this petition, he did not tell me about it and I therefore stand to denounce it, but I shall be craving the indulgence of the court to allow me some allowances to interface with him.

“My Lords, it is not a new thing, the Ahmed Makarfi camp had done this to us at the trial court where a petition was filed against Justice Okon Abang to withdraw from presiding,” he said.

NAN reports that with the seeming delay caused by this development, the Ondo people may have to wait a bit longer to be offered the authentic governorship candidate of the PDP for the Nov. 26 election. (NAN)
OMO/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-AE-13
Farming
By Joy Odigie
Benin, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Edo chapter, said it had taken delivery of farm machinery worth N14 million from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to boost farming in the state.

The chairman of AFAN in Edo, Chief Emmanuel Odigie disclosed this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.

Odigie said that the farm equipment which included two tractors, harrower, planter and harvester were donated two weeks ago.

He said that the use of the equipment would promote large scale farming and make farming attractive to youths in the state.

‘’I want to commend NDDC for this kind gesture because before now, farmers find it difficult to access tractors in the state.

‘’We have introduced cluster farming; where 10 or more farmers can come together to carryout farming operations in one location.

‘’So, the use of the tractors will go a long way in terms of farm clearing, harrowing and planting.

‘’It will also motivate youths to go into farming and make subsistence farmers to embrace commercial farming,” he said.

He urged farmers in the state to take advantage of the tractors’ services that would be hired out to farmers.

‘’The tractors will be hired out to farmers on the basis of ‘first come first serve.’

‘’The farmers will be charged a token to cover the operational and maintenance cost,’’ he said. (NAN)
OOJ/KOO/AFA
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide
===========================

FG reiterates commitment to address youth development

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Development
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Federal government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to address the issue of youth development in the country.

Mr Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports, said this at a two-day National Stakeholder’s Meeting on Youth Employment with the theme: Cross-Sectoral Collaboration for Youth Skill Development and Entrepreneur Training in Abuja.

Dalung said that governments over the years have failed in the implementation of youth programmes hence the need for deliberate approach for implementation.

The minister said investment in the youth would not only ensure a secured future for the country, but a neglected youth would also determine the kind of future that awaits a nation.

Dalung said the objective of the meeting was to reach consensus on the challenges of youth employment and agree on the strategic actions to address funding and implementation gaps.

He said the meeting would garner technical and financial support for the Nigerian Youth Job Creation Initiative and develop a harmonised Youth Entrepreneurship Training and Support Plan.

Dalung said that lack of synergy was a major setback for youth development; hence stress the need for the meeting to build synergy among identified stakeholders in implementation.

Earlier, the Director of Youth Development in the ministry, Mr Luka Mangset, said recent statistics shows that youth unemployment rate stand at 42.24 per cent in the first quarter of 2016.

He said the challenge of youth unemployment was explained by the economy’s weak absorptive capacity of new entrants into the labour market.

“The provision of an enabling environment for youth to be engaged in economic activities will not only ensure social stability.

“But will contribute to an increase in the economic growth of Nigeria,’’ the director said.

Mangset called for the setting up of an institutional arrangement for implementation and develop framework for National Standardisation and Certification of Skills Training for youth.

He said Skill Development Training in Seven Key Sectors: manufacturing, ICT, Construction, Maritime, Agriculture and Automobile was necessary.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by a cross-section of youths, youth development officers from various ministries and representatives of the Ford Foundation. (NAN)
DE/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-77

Taxes

Abuja, Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Mr Olusola Teniola, the President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Tuesday decried the multiple taxation imposed on the sector, saying that it constituted a hindrance to the development of the industry.

Teniola said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the just concluded 4^th Regular Council on Communications meeting in Kaduna.

“Multiple taxation and multiple regulations are recurring things that have been with us for a number of years and they constitute a hindrance to our ability to achieve positive growth in the telecommunications industry.

“We have 26 taxes right now that are impinging on the industry and we were recently told that there are 27  communication services tax to be introduced.

“We don’t want that to happen; we already have too many taxes stiffening the growth of the industry as investors look for friendlier environments.

“We need government to make the environment more enabling because the sector can create more jobs by bringing in more investments which will translate to more taxes and revenue to government.

“We do not want to stifle ICT and the telecoms sector, which is the goose that is laying the golden egg, particularly because the sector contributes N1.4 trillion per quarter to this country.”

Teniola said that the meeting was an important avenue to discuss with the minister and other stakeholders in the sector and recommended that the meeting be convened periodically.

According to him, the meeting is a veritable avenue for like-minded stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the sector under their purview.

Teniola said that ATCON, established since 1993, had the mandate to interact with government, to guide policies and regulatory directives.

“ATCON will continue to engage with government and the civil society, to ensure that an enabling environment is fostered for foreign direct investment in the industry.

“We will also continue to evolve new avenues for youths to get employed because the next generation is really about the digital age and digital transformation; the youths are better placed to take us there,” he said. (NAN)
COA/HAS/NKO
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Nkechi Okoronkwo